Looms



April 10, 1956 J. B. VAN BURLEIGH J. B. VAN BURLEIGH LOOMS 7Sheets-Sheet 2 April 10, 1956 Filed Dec. 27, 1951 April 10, 1956 J. B.VAN BURLEIGH LOOMS 7 Sheets--Shee'tl 3 Filed Dec. 27, 1951 April 10,1956 J. B. VAN BURLEIGH 2,741,269

LooMsv Filed Dec. 27, 1951 V 7 Sheets-sheet 4 April 10, 1956 J. B. vANBURLEIGH LOOMS Filed Dec. 27 195] Flea Apri] 10, 1956 J. B. VAN BURLEIGH2,741,269

' LooMs Filed Dec. 27, 195] 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 10, 1956 J. B. VANBURLEIGH LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 27 1951 United States Patent'LOOMS Johannes Balfour van Burleigh, Oegstgeest, Netherlands ApplicationDecember 27, 1951, Serial No. 263,533

Claims priority, application Netherlands December 30, 1950 24 Claims.(Cl. 139-15) The present invention relates to a loom for weavingfabricsv` for example of the tubular variety, and of the type comprisinga weft carrying and feedin'g shuttle or a pluralityV of such shuttles,which is or are propelled-- in the latter case simultaneously-through ashed or a shed compartment of one or more Warp systems, and sheddingvunits for example arranged in a circle', for progressively shedding'said Warp system or systems. loom of this type is known from the U. S.Patent No. 1,813,762.

In this known construction, the shedding units are in the form ofpivotably mounted levers, each adapted to feed a Warp thread, meansbeing provided for oscillating said levers so that some move in onedirection while others move in the opposite direction and in suchrelation, that'a shed is opened and closed for each shuttleprogressively, said levers being re'cessed or notchedl to provide atrack` for such shuttle or shuttles, the latter each having awedge-shaped end portion so designed that the oppositely directedtransverse forces simultaneously exerted by oppositely moving pairs ofsaid warp shedding levers on said wedge-shaped end portion duringoscillating movement produce a resultant force forwardlyl propellingsaid shuttle through its shed.

O'ne object of the present invention is to provide a loom of the abovetype in which the weft thread or threads at the completion of theshedding operation of a respective shedding unit is or are locked intothe fabric immediately on the' line of Weaving. This assuresa completelyuniform binding or texture of the fabric and thus enables the densityofthe fabric to be controlled byV simply varying the angle of the warpthreads.

A further object ofb the invention is to provide a loom of theabove-type in which all elements-for heatingup the weft threads at thefell or Weave line of the fahric are eliminated so that the threadssuifer consiclerably` less wear than in the case of known constructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loom of the above typein which the magnitude of the frictional resistance to be overcome bythe resultant force propelling the shuttle or shuttles through its ortheir shed or Vslieds is small resulting in a considerable economy inexpenditure of driving power.

' Still' another object of the invention is 'the provision of a. loom oftheV above type in which. the propelling of the shuttle or shuttles isVeffected byA a relatively large number of simultaneously operating,flexible elements, namely the Warp threadsfthemselves which. areconcerned in the bshedding operation, so that'the individual sheddingunits may be of light construction.

- Wittrthese and other objects in view, one aspectof the inventionVisthev provision of a loom for weavingfabric comprising at least onewarp system, shedding units 'ice progressively operable for manipulatingthe warp threads of' such system such that a shed is progressivelyopened and closed, a weft carrying and feeding shuttle freely locatedVwithin said shed and having its rearwardly directed end portion soconstructed that the oppositely directed transverse forcessimultaneously exerted by the warp threads on said end portion duringsuch progressive sheddingV operation produce a resultant force forwardlypropelling said shuttle through said shed, the weft feedingoutletof'said shuttle being located behind said end portionconsidered inthe direction of travel of the shuttle-and in close proximity to theline of weaving, so that the Weft thread at the completion of theshedding operation of the successive shedding units is locked into thefabricimmediately on the line of weaving. V

In the case of an open-ended warp thread system, that is to say a systemWhich is not closed on itself, the. changing of shuttles is notparticularly diflicult because replacement may be effected successivelyoutside the shed. Color changing'with an open-ended system may bereadily augmented by a selecting system in the form of a mechanism forcontrolling the pattern.

Anendless or closed Warp system, as in the case of a: circular loom,however, presents a special problem, thel solution. of which is morereadily obtained' with a loom. constructed in accordance with theinstant disclosure. As will be described more fully hereinafter theshedding, the propelling of the shuttles, as well as the heating-up andlooking of the weft thread, is effected every time by one and the sameoperation of a respective shedding'unit. It is possible to operate theloom with less than the maximum possible number of simultaneously activeshuttles (e. g. two or three less than the maximum). For example, two orthree successive shuttles can'be omitted and the shedding operationarranged so that a long open space or gap is created. A progressingpartial shed or compartment is thus formed in the warp system, thelength of which is two or three times the length of* the remainingcompartments, which long' com'- partment may then be used for changingthe shuttles. When such compartment reaches a selectedV point, the warpthreads on one side immediately ahead of this point (reckoned in thedirection of movement of the shuttles) may be deflected and a freshshuttle can be shot into the long compartment up to the normal distancefrom the shuttle preceding said long compartment. The'shedding unitsadjacent the rear end of the new shuttle are then rendered operative Byagain del'lect'- ing the' warp threads behind said point the nextshuttle is enabled to escape from the Warp system by its own velocityand along a tangent to its path of travel. Thereafter the longcompartment, which by the putting into operation of the shedding unitsfor propelling the newly introduced shuttle has been progressivelyshortened at its' front end, is simultaneously restored to its originallength. by progressively rendering inoperative the shedding units at therear end of the compartment.

In connection therewith a further characteristic feature of theinvention consists in the provisionoutside thewarp system of two alignedshuttle guides having opposingends. By swinging such guides into thecenter plane of the long compartment, and thereby pushing away they Warpthreads on one side of the compartment, they may-'be successivelybrought in a position in Which they extend substantially tangentially tothe shuttle path. Means are then provided for selectively renderinginoperative and operative the'elements for activating one or morechange- Fig. l is a more or less diagrammatic perspective view of acircular loom according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial, radial cross section on the line II-II in Fig. land shows in elevation a shedding unit of such loom.

3 Fig. 3 shows on an enlarged scale a' longitudinal crosssection throughthe rear portion of such shedding unit.

Fig. 4 shows in longitudinal section and on astill further enlargedscale, a detail of said shedding unit.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view shown at an enlarged scale and alongthe line V-V in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows a partially broken away plan view of a portion of thereed-shaped supporting member, with a shuttle resting thereon andtogether with a number of shedding units.

Fig. 7 shows a shuttle in side elevation.

Fig. 8 shows on an enlarged Scale and in vertical crosssection themechanism diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1, for selectively renderingthe shedding unit operative and inoperative.

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 10 is a view seen in direction of the arrows X-X in Fig. 8.

Figs. .11 and 12 show in plan view a portion of the shuttle path and theshuttle guides to illustrate the successive steps of the shuttlereplacement.

Fig. 13 shows a side-elevational view of the rear portion of a shuttleaccording to a modified embodiment.

Fig. 14 represents on a somewhat larger scale a plan view of a portionof Fig. 13 showing the disc-like rollers provided on said shuttleportion for cooperation with the warp threads during the shedding.

In the embodiment shown by way of example, the circular loom'is mountedon a base, comprising two uprights 1, interconnected by cross beams 2, 3and resting on feet 4, to which brackets 5 are welded for rotatablysupporting two warp beams 6 by means of trunnions 7.

A central vertical column 8 is connected to said cross beams 2, 3 whichcolumn near its upper end is provided with a bond 9 and on which column,by means of a hub 10 and spokes 11, a horizontal ring 12 is securedsurrounded by a helically wound wire 13, the windings of which serve asseparating elements for the warp threads 6' aniving from the warp beams6. Two further helically wound wires 14, also serving as senaratingelements, areV arranged on two arched rods 15 which at 16 are connectedto the uprights 1.

The inwardly inclined unper ends of the unrights 1 carry a ring-shapedplate 17 serving as a support for two annular conduits 18, 19 of whichthe former has a smaller inner diameter than the latter. Conduit 18contains air which is constantly under super-atmospheric pressure so asto serve as a pressure air supply source. The conduit 19 is constantlyunder a vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure so as to serve as a vacuumsupply source or a supply source of sub-atmospherie pressure.

On the above mentioned annular conduit 18 pairs of superimposed radiallyextending cylinders 21, 22 are mounted, each pair being mounted by meansof a bracket 20 (Fig. 2) welded to said conduit. The cylinders 21 and 22are provided with movable pistcns 23 and 24V and piston rods 25 and 26,respectively, the latter at their free ends being provided each with ahead 27. having a number of (e. g. six) saw cuts 28 formed therein. Acorresponding number of rods 29 are secured in the respective saw cuts.

At some' distance away from its free end, each rod 29 is provided withan eyelet 30 for threading therethrough a warp thread 6'. The pairs ofcylinders 21, 22 are arranged in a Vclosed circular series around Vthecentral axis of the loom, the cylinders of each 'pair being locatedantena V on opposite sides of a platelike annulus 32 stationarilyarranged therebetween. The annulus extends radially inwardly beyond theends of the cylinders and serves as a guide for the above mentionedheads 27 during the relative movement of the pistons 23, 24, etfected ina manner to be hereinafter described.

As best seen in Fig. 3 the lower cylinder 21 of each pair is closedadjacent its rear end by apartition 33 whilst an outwardly open sleeve34 is secured to said rear end of the cylinder 21. The sleeve 34 has atubular guide element 35 secured therein for guiding an axially slidablerod-like valve member 36. The member 36 is adapted to rotate about itsaxis with its outer end loosely engaging a piston 37 fitting said sleeve34. The tubular guide element 35 is provided with two diametricallyVopposed transverse bores 38, 38' respectively communicating with aconduit 39 leading to the cylinder 22, and a conduit 40 leading from thesleeve 34 to a point on the cylinder 21 to the left of the partition 33.

In a plane at right angles to the bores 38, 38' two further passages 41,41' (Fig. 4) are formed in the guide element and connected by conduits42 and 43, respectively, to annular conduits 44V and 45,V respectively,(Fig. 3). The conduit 44 communicates through the medium of a conduit 46with the conduit 18 of over-atmospheric pressure and the conduit 45 isin open communication with the sub-atmospheric pressure conduit 19through a pipe 47. An axial bore 48 in the guide element 35 connects thechamber 49, between the partition 33 and the forward end face of saidguide element 35, With the passage 41, which through the annular conduit44 and the conduit 46 is connected to said pressure conduit 18, all insuch a manner that in said chamber 49 a permanent over-atmosphericpressure reigns.

At two diametrically opposed points the above mentioned rod-like valvemember 36 is provided with transverse saw cuts 50, 50' (Fig. 5) solocated that in one angular position of the rotatable valve member suchsaw Vcuts effect a connection between the passages 38 and 41'respectively 38' and 41, and afterV rotation of the valve member throughan angle of interconnect the passages 38 and 41 respectively 38' and41'.

The angular displacement of said valve member about its axis requiredfor interchanging the connections is derived from an axiallyreciprocating movement to be given to said valve member. This valvemember is provided with pin-shaped radial projections 51 for cooperationwith a specially shaped cam groove 52. Cam groove 52 is formed by teeth53 which are cut in the end of the cylinder 21 which extends abovepartition 33 in Fig. 4, said teeth 53 mating with teeth 54 cut in anextension 35' of the tubular guide element 35 (Fig. 4). The cam groove52 is so shaped that when the valve member is reciprocated up and downas seen in Figure 4, it causes said valve member, through the medium ofthe pin shaped projections 51, to rotate about its axis in one directiononly, through an angle of 90 whereby the connections of the cylinders21, 22 with the over-atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure conduits18, 19 are interchanged. As a result thereof the pistons 23, 24 aredisplaced in opposite directions so that the warp threads threaded inthe set of rods associated with said pistons are crossed to effect theshedding of the warp. b

In Fig. 4 the two teeth-like projections 54 (cut from the bottom end ofthe tubular extension 35' of the fixed guide element 35) are shownunsectioned so as to come out of the paper for in a semi-cylindricalfashion. The edge surfaces of the teeth constitute the upper surface ofthe cam groove 52, which groove extends along a tortuous path through360 inside Vcylinder 34. The teeth-like projections 53 (cut from theupper en-d of cylinder 21 which extends as shown in Fig. 4 'for adistance of 1%V inches up into cylinder 34) are shown unsectioned so asto come out of the paper for 180 in a semi-cylindrical fashion. The edgesurfaces of teeth 53 constitute the lower surface of. cam. groove 52.'I'he':first ltfA of' groove 52 is shown in Fig. 4 and the other 180" isshown. in Fig. 3. where cylinder 21 and extension 35' areshowncompletely in'section. The irregular sectioned portion at the bottom ofFig. 4 representsan irregular transverse section taken through thecylinder 21.

Assume that for the moment the valve member 36 is in its unextendedposition inside cylinder. 34 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this positionpassage 41' communicates with passage 38' and passage. 41 communicatesWith passage 38. If a vacuum is now applied via conduit 58 to theinterior of cylinder 34, the force of the atmospheric pressureV bearingagainst the outside of the largearea piston 37 overcomes the opposingbiasing force developed by the super-atmospheric air pressure alwayspresent in chamber L4li) and hence valve member 36 begins to moveaxially forward. But as it does so its pair of cam-follower pins 51 areconstrained to ride in respective halves of the cam groove 52 therebyimparting a rotary motion to valve member 36 as it moves axiallyforward. In a manner obviousto one skilled in the cam-cutting art, thegroove 52 is shaped so that. when the. left-hand pin 51 of Fig. 4 hasbeen moved axially forward until it occupies a position in groove 52which is beneath the tip end of the left-hand tooth 54, such pin willalso have received a transverse movement rotating it counter-clockwisethrough 45 and hence the valve member 36 will also have been rotatedthrough45 in acounter-clockwise direction.

Upon the removal of'the vacuum fromconduit 58 and the interior ofcylinder 34, air at atmospheric, pressure again occupies the interior ofcylinder 34 (with leakage past piston 37) and the biasing forcedeveloped inV chamber 49 now becomes the predominant force. 'I'hus,valve member 36 now reverses* its direction of axial movement and startsmoving back towards its original position. The tip end of the left-handtooth 54 is oflfset sufliciently so that the left-hand pin is unable toreturn via the same part of groove 52 over which it has just traveled;instead, such pin will be forced to continue further along the camgroove path of 52 which brings the pin eventually to the positionViliustrated in Fig. 4 by the dotted circle at the junction of the twoteeth. 54 (i. e., at the top of the center tooth 53 .in Fig. 4). Thisportionof cam groove 52 over which such pin has just traveled is cut sothat the pin, in addition to its axial return movement, will have alsoreceived a transverse movement rotating it (and valve member 36).counter-clockwise through an additional 45". Thus, one axialreciprocation of valve member 36 has resulted in rotating' it throughV9`{). The connections between passages 38., 38', 41 and 41.' will now beinterchanged so that passage 41' communicates with passage 33 andpassage 41 with passage 38'. Such interchange of connectionsV causesshedding'ofthe associated warp'threads;

When a vacuum is again applied via conduit 58 to the interior ofcylinder 34, valve member 36 Will begin to move forward again and suchpin willv continueV to move along the tortuous path provided for it bycamgroove 52 so as to rotate valve member 36 counter-clockwise throughan additional 45 to the 135 point when it arn'ves (as shown by thedotted circle in Fig. 4) under the tip end of the right-hand tooth 54,the axial return movement of member 36 forcing such pin to continuealong groove 52 until it finally reaches a positiondiamet-ricallyopposite itsV original position (the position assumed atthe beginning of this discussion). Of course, in the meantime the otherpin 51 has been constrained to move over a similar path in the otherhalf of groove 52 so that it now ends up 180 away from its originalposition. As a result of the above movement of the pins 51 valve member36 has now been rotated counterclockwise through a second 90 so that theconnections between passages 38, 38', 41` and 41' are again interchangedto cause shedding of theV associated warp threads agaim- After two moreAsuccessive. applications of: a1 vacuum. to. the interior of cylinder 34,valve member-36` will in a similar manner be rotated counter-clockwisethrough an additional 180 (causing two more sheddingf operations) to the360 point so as to be restored to its original rotary position.

The control of valve member 36 as outlined above is etfected through themedium of a mechanism constructed as follows.

As shown in Figs. l and 8 there is providedbetween the elements 13 and14 which separate the Warp threads and around the stationary centralcolumn 8 a stationary sleeve; 55,. having a horizontal annular flange56. As shown in Figs. 8 andy 10, near the outer circumferential portionof flange 56 transverse passages 57 are bored, the number of passages 57being equal to the number of pairs of cylinders 21, 22. In order thateach vacuum port 67 in the rotary sleeve 64 may cover for` example four.passage-s 57 at any instant, the passages 57 are dis.- tributed in threestaggered CircularV series concentric with the circumference of theflange 56 as shown in.Fig. 10. in Fig. 10 only a few of the passages 57have been illustrated for convenience, the relative locations' ofcertain of the ports 67 for instautaneous rotary position of sleeve 64beingl shown in dotted. lines. Each of said passages is connected by aconduit 53, to a port 59 formedin the sleeve 34 (Fig. 3) immediatelybehind the rear face of the guide element 35, and therefore between suchrear face and the freely movable piston 37 in said sleeve 34;

in the wall of the sleeve a longitudinal passage; 6.0 is formed (Fig. 8)from which transverse passages 61 are branched off, each opening into acircumferential groove 62 in the outer face of the sleeve 55. By aconduit 63 passage is permanently connected to lthe subatmosphericpressure conduit 19.

The sleeve 55 is further surrounded by a second sleeve 64 rotatableabout .said first sleeve and a-daptedto be driven by a chain andsprocltet gear (sprocket 65), not shown in detail, from the main drivingmechanism of the loom. Said second sleeve is also provided with. ahorizontal fiange 66, which, with a contact surface 66.', engages theflange 56 at the locality of the series of passages 57.

A group of ports 67 are formed in the contact surface 66' so as to beuniformly distributed over its circumference. These ports are equal innumber to the number of partial sheds or compartments, which may beformed simultaneously in the Warp system of -the loom, taking intoaccount the lengthof the shuttles to be used yand the circumferentiallength of the shuttle path. The

ports are so dimensioned that in their successive positions they eachcover a group of four passages 57.

Each of said ports 67 connects withV a passage 68 formed in the Wall ofthe sleeve-64. The passages.. 68; for a purpose hereinafter to bedescribed, are provided with a loop-shaped section 68' situated withinan. annulal'. bond sl-'rintegrally formed with said sleeve 64. Thepassages 6 at their upper ends open into. the inner circumferential faceof the sleeve 64, each time at the` locality of a circumferential groove62 in thesleeve 55. The ports 67, therefore, are iri permanentcommunication with the sub-atmospheric pressure. Each port, during therotation of the sleeve 64, places the passages'57 and, by means ofconduits 53 and ports 59, the.` spaces in front of the pistons 37 (Fig.3) progressively under vacuum. The pistons -push out the respectivevalve membersw36 against the action of the over-atmospheric pressure tointerchange the connections of the cylinders 21 and 22 as more fullydescribed above.

The machine so far described operates with a number of shuttles 69 (forinstance ten) which lie freely'within the warpV thread system or systemsand rest onv a supporting member '70 (Fig. 6) formed as a. circular reedwithout, however, having the usual function 'of a rced; Said supportingmember is. secured at itsi'outer circumference in a groove 71, at theinner periphery of an annular cover 72, (Figs. 1 and 2) so that itfreely projects inwardly. The warp threads 6' arriving from the warpbeams 6 are threaded through said read-like supporting member and extendto a ring 73, (Fig. 1) secured to the central column 8 above saidsupporting member, such ring constituting the fell of the fabric. Thewoven fabric is led olf over a guide roller (not shown) also mounted onsaid central column 3.

vThe shuttles 69 (Fig. 7) consist of a plate-shaped base 75, to thelower face of which two smooth, rounded strips 76 are secured, such baseat its forward end being Vshaped to form a rounded nose 77, whilst atthe rearV end, at 78, said base is bevelled on both sides as moreparticularly shown in Fig. 6. The inner side 79 of said base isare-shaped.

At the forward end the nose 77 has an upwardly directed extension SQformed with a tapered projection 81 on Which one end 82. of the tubularsupport of a V weft pirn 83 is forced so that the pirn freely projectsrearwardly.

Adjacent its forward end the base 75 has two vertical supports 84mounted thereon for supporting a transverse shaft 85, about which atriangular brace or arm 86 is pivotally mounted and adapted to swing. Inthe top of said arm there is provided a Passage 87 serving as an outletfor the weft thread which is drawn from the free end of the pirn 83,passed through a thread guide 88 to be deflected towards the forward endof the shuttle, and passed around the small shaft 35 to again change itsdirection towards the passage 87. The top end of the arm 86 has adownwardly tapering profile for Ia purpose hereinafter to be indicated.

' In the modified embodiment shown in Figs. 13 and 14 the shuttle, whichfor the rest is identical with that shown in Fig. 7, also consists of aliat base 94, Which, however, at its rear end is not wedge-shaped, butat its rear portion is provided with two disc-like rollers 95,

' 96, each freely rotatable about a short trunnion 97, and

98, respectively, the downwardly extending trunnion 97 carrying thefirst roller 95 being mounted in a bracket 99 overhanging such rollerand being secured by means .of a screw lili) to the upper face of therear portion of the base, whilst the upwardly extending trunnion 98 forthe roller 96 is secured in the base, in a position somewhat laterallyspaced from said first trunnion so that the two rollers 95, 96 overlapone another, the outer circumference of such rollers proiecting beyondthe respective side edges and the rear edge of the base portion, all asshown in Fig. 14.

It will be clear that during the shedding operations the warp threads 6'engaging the projecting circumferential portions of the rollers willcause such rollers to rotate in opposite directions as indicated by thearrows xin Fig. 14. At .the same time the threads Will produce on theshuttle an axially and forwardly directed resuitant force, propellingthe shuttle through its shed. Thus, the frietion between the warpthreads and the shuttle is considerably reduced.

There now remains the description of the means for replacing theshuttles during the operation of the loom, i. e. theV means both forsuccessively replacing empty shuttles by full ones and for replacing theshuttles by other shuttles carrying weft material of different colorand/ or nature.

To enable such shuttle replacement to be efiected, the loom is operatedwith fewer shuttles (e. g. three less) than the total number ofcompartments which may be formed in the warp thread system. in otherwords three successive shuttles are removed from the series of shuttlesso that in' said series an open space or gap is formed traveling withthe series of shuttles. Furthermore, according to the invention, thecontrol of the shedding operation is so arranged that no sheddingoperation occurs within the traveling gap. There is thereby formed inthe warp system a compartment which is three times the length of theremaining compartments. Such long compartment may then be used for thereplacement of the shuttles. To form such compartment the shedding unitsof the corresponding warp threads have to be inoperative which meansthat since the compartment travels in a circle the units for sheddingthe warp threads in front of said long compartment have to beprogressively cut out and those behind said compartment have to beprogressively rendered active. This may be eifec'ted in the followingmanner.

As stated above, a loop 68' (Fig. 8) of each vacuum passage 68 lieswithin the bond 64' of the sleeve 64. This bond, at the locality of eachloop 68', is provided with a -transverse bore 88 in which a rod-likedistributing slide 89 is movably positioned. The slide 89 has twopassages 99, normally coinciding with the shanks of the loop, such slidebeing adapted to be operated by two cams 91 having oppositely inclinedcam surfaces 91'. The cams are stationary in a circumferential directionrelative to the respective slides 89, but are simultane-ously movablelongitudinally in opposite directions relative to sleeve 64 in such amanner that the connection of the respective port 67 with thevacuumconduit 63 may alternatively be shut off and re-opened, to therebyrender vthe respective shedding units inoperative or operative.

The automatic operation of said cams 91 at the exact moment may beeifected in any desired manner, for instance by a mechanism operating inthe manner of a dob-V by-..hedding machine and, therefore, with adobby-card, or rail. Since, however, this does not form a part of thepresent invention such mechanism has not been shown and will not bedescribed in detail.

The means for enabling the replacement of the shuttles during operationalso comprise two channel-shaped shuttle guides 92, 93 (Figs. 11, 12)which are mounted out-V side the warp thread system in line on theannular cover plate 72. The guides are pivotable about axes 92' and 93'respectively, in such a manner that by swinging said guides in oppositedirections and therehy pushing away or deecting the outer warp threadsthe adjacent ends of the guides may be alternately placed in a linewhich at this point is substantially tangential to Vthe shuttle path.This enables the operator, when the long ,compartment is at this spot,to introduce a fresh shuttle or alternatively to permit a shuttle toescape from the warp system by its own velocity in a manner as Will befurther described.

'The operation of the machine above described is as follows:

The warp threads 6' arriving from the two warp beams 6 and kept apart bythe windings of the helically Wound wires 13 and 14 are threaded throughthe eyelets 30 of the groups of rods 29, associated with the successiveshedding units. Thereafter such threads run through the gaps between therods of the reed-shaped supporting member 70 towards the fell of thefabric at the Iocality of the ring 73.

In this warp system the shuttles 69 are positioned each in its own shedcompartment and freely rest with their smooth rounded strips 76 on saidsupporting member 70, said shuttles being equally spaced in a seriesexcept for a gap between the two end shuttles of said series equal inlength' to three shuttles plus interspaces. V

VAt the moment of starting the machine, the rotatable sleeve 64 ispositioned so that the ports 67 communicate with the groups of conduits58 leading to the shedding units controlling the warp threads which foreach shuttle are situated on opposite sides of the bevelled edge 78 ofthe rear end portion of the shuttle. The shedding units controlling thewarp threads momentarily situated opposite the long gap in the seriesofwshuttles are inoperative because their connection through therespective ports with the vacuum conduit 63 is shut off, thecorresponding distributing slide S9 being depressed by the u'pper cam 91cutting olf the passage 68.

:images Upon starting'the machine Vin thisposition .theflsheddingunits,` beginningl at thel points .in WhichV the vacuum. ports 67.'aresituated' at thismoment, are progressively activated, that; is: toVsay'connected to the sub-atmospheric pressure, so thatthe'corresponding freely movable pistons 37 ini:- part to thecorresponding valve members 36 a forward impul-se. This causes rotationof the valve members through an angle of 90 about their axis tointerchangethe connections of the cylinders of such units with thesub-atmospheric and over-atmospheric pressure and the sheddingoperationl is initiated, that is to say the respective warp threads arecrossed beneath the shuttle. The forces which arethus exerted upon theedges of the bevelled endv portion of the shuttlesproduce a resultantforce in the longitudina-l direction of .the shuttles Whereby saidshuttles are propelled. Because it is the Warp threads that do thepropelling the shadding operation is completed each time immediately.behind each shuttle. The warp threads are therefore crossed on the endof the weft laying arm 86 of the shuttle and. force the arm into theapex of the respectiveshedV compartment. Thus the .Weft thread comingout Qflsaidarm at thefell is securely and .permanently looked into thefabric, the laying in of theweft thread taking place after the sheddingoperation is completed.

During such successive activation of the shedding units those units.associated With the warp threads Which momentarily precede the longcompartmentconsidered in the.. direction ofmovement of the shuttles-arerendered successively inoperative by shutting off the. connection Withthevacuumsource and those following said compartment are. successivelyrenderedoperative so that said longconrpartment. remains existent andmoves synchronously with the. gapin the series of shuttles.

Use ismade of this longcompartment in the following manner for replacingthe shuttles.

Asfar as the renewing of theV Weft supply` is concerned, the moment ofreplacement is not, as is customary,,made dependenton the quantity ofyarn still present on the tubular weft yarn support, but is determinedby' the number of revol'utions made by the shuttles through the Warp,|so that, all shuttles, independent of the possible differences in theiryarn contents are replaced' successively at the sametime.

When this replacement has to be effected the shuttle guide 92 in frontof the point of replacement-Tconsidered in the direction of movement oftheshuttles-is'swung 1n- Ward' (Figg. 1'1),.thereby pushing awayn theouter warp threads atthis point, until' at least the forwardV end ofsaid guide, lies tangentially to the path of the shuttles,

Through this guide, at that moment, a fresh shuttle is shot intothe longcompartment in the direction of movement ofthe, shuttles and' up to thenormal distance from the, preceding shuttle, whilst immediately`thereupon the guide is swung back andthe shedding units at the local'ityof. the rear, end of the fresh shuttle are rendered operative so thatsuch fresh shuttle is propelled'synchronously With the remainingshuttles.

I11Lthe meantime the oppositely directed shuttle guide 93 situated.beyond the point of replacement isV swungwmiwards-whilst pushing. away.the respective outer warp threadsinto the shuttle path (Fig. 12) so thatthe shuttle following the long compartment is enabled to escape fromthewarp. threadsystem by itsown velocity and along the tangent to. itspath. of travel. At the same time the long compartment, which by theactivation of. the shadding units for. propelling thefresh shuttle isshortened' at its.. front end, at..the.rear end` isrestored to itsoriginallengthsuccessively by. cutting out further units attherearendfofA the compartment- By this the. compartment. is. temporarily heldstationary, infrontof the point of. replacement so-that by, repeatingthe. above mentioned manipulationsall old shuttlesmaybe successivelyreplaced byffreshonesafter Which'the former conditionis restored.

'I'heiahove described. manipulation of the. shuttle-guidesl 1G-isaefiectedbyz the same mechanism controllingtthecamsftlifonthedistributing slid`es89..

Thefreplacement: of 'one or more shuttles'hy; a: fresh one carryingweftmaterial offdifi'erent colorand/ornatureis affected in thesame way,themoment of replacement: being controlled by the mechanism operatingthecams 91. and thereforefdetermining thepattern.

The-introduction of'the fresh shuttles in the'long com.- partment mayfor instance be. et'fected. by means of. a device in the manner of acatapul'athe: operation. of* which is controlled by theV said mechanism.Since; however, thestructural realization, ofthe entire control'. meansli'es Within the reachV of. those Skilled in the art, and doesf'notconstitute apartof this invention, it needA not'furtherbe describedindetail.

It Will be understood that the -invention is notv limited to theembodiment above described and illustratedin the drawings since variousother structural realizations are possible Within the scope of theappended claims..

What I- claimis:

l. in .a loom for. Weaving fabric, at least onewarp system, a pluralityof. shedding units progressivelyb operae tive for operating the warpthreads of said system? proa gressively to `open and close ashed invsaid Warp system; a Weftfcarrying and feedingshuttle-disposed'withinzsaid shed and having a rear endzportion engagedby the Waip threads undergoing, shedding and shaped such that: theoppositely directed' forces transverse to the path of 'shuttle travelsimultaneouslyexerted by the closing warp. threads onsaidrean endportion during said progressiveV shedding operationV produce a resultantforce forwardlypropelling saidshuttlethrough said shed, said. shuttie.having. Weft threadfeeding meanslocated rearwardiy of said end=tpor=tion and positioned in close proximity to the line: of wea-ving, saidweft feeding meanseheing engaged by' the Warp: threads undergoingshedding Whereby the 'Weft thread is beat into the` shed: by.v the warpthreads and locked into. the fabri'cimmediately on the line of weaving.

2.- In' aloom for weaving fabric, atleast'one; warp system, a pluralityofshedding; units operative'in groups progressively for operating thewarp threadsof said` system so that a plurality; of warp sheds aresimultaneously opened andfsimultaneously closedb each* in a. progressivemanner, a plurality of, weft-carryingand fceding. shuttles eachdisposedwithin arespective one ofsaid: sheds, .each shuttle having arear end portion engaged by the; Warp threads.- u'ndergoing, sheddingand` shaped such that. the oppositely directed forcestransverse to:thepath of shuttle travel: simultaneously exerted on said? end portionVof| each shuttle byV the closing, of the respective. Warpv threadsduring said progressive sheddingV operations produce a resultant .forceVonv each. shuttlen forwardlyV propelling each shuttle throughitsrespective shed, each of said shuttles havingweft threadfeeding-means located rearwardly of said..end:.portionand. positioned.in closev proxirnity to thelinefof weaving,.saidV Weft feeding meansbeing engaged byr the warpl threads undergoing shedding wherebyf theweft: threads; arebeat. into. the respective: sheds` by the warpVthreadsgzand locked into the; fabric. immediately on the .line of:weaving.

31 In; a loom for weaving fabric, a Warp system, a plurality..V of'shedding units progressively operativewfor operating. the.- Warp.threads of said system-progressively to open .and close: a -warp. shed,.a weft-carrying and.V feedin'g shuttle freely disposed within said.shedand` having' a rearend portion. located: to engage. the. warpthrcads'iundergoing shedding as they-close during'said progressiveshedding. operation and shapedto derive from the oppositeiydirected,transversefforces simultaneousiy exerted on said endportionby-said closing warp, threads a resultant. force forwardly propelliug.saidv shuttle.. through said. shed, a weft-layingarm mounted for; freepivotal movement .on said-.shuttle and: rearwardly; extending so4 thatits. rear end is. located'. beyond. the z rearextremity of; sairhendpor-tiomsaid armha-vingsafweft. outlet at-.itsrear; enrt and having ashape so that said rear end is urged by the Vthread at' the completionof the shedding operation of the successive shedding units is lockedinto the fabric immediately on the line of weaving.

4. In a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system, a plurality of sheddingunits operative in groups progressively for operating the warp threadsof said system so that a plurality of warp sheds are simultaneouslyopened and simultaneously closed each in a progressive manner, aplurality of Weft-carrying and feeding shuttles each freely disposedwithin a respective one of said sheds, each shuttle having a rear endportion located to have oppositely directed transverse forcessimultaneously exerted thereon by the respective warp threads uponClosure thereof during the progressive shedding operations and shaped toproduce a resultant force on each shuttle 'forwardly propelling eachshuttle through its respective shed, each shuttle having a Weft-layingarm mounted for free pivotal movement thereon and rearwardly extendingso that its rear end is located beyond the rear extremity of said endportion, each of said arms having a weft outlet at its rear end andhaving a shape so that said rear end is urged by the progressivecrossing of the warp threads to a position in close proxirnity to theline of Weaving, whereby the weft thread at the completion of theshedding operation of the shedding units is locked into the fabricimmediately on the line of Weaving.

5. in a loom for weaving fabric, at least one warp system, a pluralityof shedding units including warp thread actuating rods progressivelyoperative for operating the warp threads of said system progressively toopen and close a warp shed, a reed-shaped shuttle support disposedadjacent the warp thread actuating rods of said shedding units so as toextend along the path of said shed and having the Warp threads threadedtherethrough, a weft-carrying and feeding shuttle located within saidshed and adapted to travel freely upon said support, said shuttle havinga rear end portion engaging the warp threads as they progressively closeduring shedding and translating the oppositely directed transverseforces simultaneously exerted thereon by the closing warp threads duringthe progressive shedding operation into a resultant force forwardlypropelling said shuttle along said support through said shed, saidshuttle having its weft-feeding outlet located rearwardly of the rearextremity of said end portion and positioned in close proximity to theline of Weaving, whereby the weft thread is beat into the shed by thewarp threads and looked into the fabric immediately on the line ofweaving.

6. In a loom for Weaving fabric at least one warp system, a plurality ofshedding units operative in groups progressively for operating the warpthreads of said system so that a plurality of warp sheds aresimultaneously opened and simultaneously closed each in a progressivemanner, a reed-shaped shuttle support having the warp threads threadedVtherethrough and extending along the path of said sheds so as to lie atleast partly Within each shed when open, a plurality of weft-carryingand feeding shuttles each located in a respective one of said sheds incontact with said support for free movement therealong restrainedlaterally solely by said warp threads, each shuttle having a rear endportion in engagement with the warp threads ofits respective shed asthey ,progressively close during shedding and shaped to receive animpulse resulting from the oppositely directed transverse forcessimultaneously exerted on said rear end portion by the respective warpthreads closing during said progressive shedding operation Which impulseforwardly propels each shuttle along said support through its respectiveshed.

7. In a loom forweaving fabric, a warp system extending susbtantiallyaround a Circular path, shuttle support means extending around saidcircular path, at least one .weft-,carrying and feeding shuttle disposedon said .sup-

port means for travel around said circular path, the` rear end of themain body of said shuttle having rearwardly sloping side surfacesextending toward the longitudinal axis of said shuttle, a plurality ofwarp thread-actuating elements grouped in pairs substantially aroundsaid circular path and extending in a direction transverse to saidcircular path, a piston operatively connected to each element, acylinder in which each piston operates, means for supplying a gas undersuperattnosphericV pressure, means for supplying a vacuum, means forconnecting the cyiinders associated with each pair of elementssimultaneously to said pressure supply means and to said vacuum supplymeans respectively so that the pistons of each pair of pistons work inopposite directions to close and then open their associated warpthreads, and means for altering in a predetermined sequence theconnecting means for the pairs of cylinders to interchange theconnections betri/een the pairs of cylinders and the pressure and vacuumt supply means in a predetermined sequence to open progressively a shedfor said shuttle and to close said shed progressively by progressivelyclosing those warp threads Which are adjacent to said sloping surfacesthereby exerting a forwardly directed resultantV force thereagainst toVpropel said shuttle through its shed along said circular path.

8. A loom according to claim 7 Wherein the connecting means for eachpair of cylinders to the pressure and vacuum supply means comprises avalve member mounted for reciprocal axial movement, and stationary guidemeans disposed in the path of axial movement of each said valve memberand shaped to convert each reciprocation of said valve member into arotary movement of said valve member about its axis through apredetermined angle to effect said interchange of connections, said means for altering said connecting'means comprising a rotary vacuumdistribution valve the rotor of Which has at least one distribution portWhich rotates aroundV the central axis of the loom synchronously Withthe progressive opening and closing of said shedto effect in apredetermined sequence the reciprocation of the valve members' andinterchange of the connections for their respective pairs of cylinders.

9. In a loom for Weaving fabric, a warp system, a plu-V rality of warpthread-actuating elements positioned in pairs along the warp system,control 'means operable to move the elements of each pair simultaneouslyin opposite directions transverse to the direction of said warp system,means for progressively actuating the control means for said pairs ofelements to open and close a warp shed progressively in said system, aweft-carrying and feeding shuttle located within said shed and having arear end portion in engagement With the warp threads as theyprogressively close during said progressive shedding and shaped toreceive a forward impulse from the closing warp threads forwardlypropelling said shuttle through said shed.

10. In a loom for Weaving fabric, at least one warp system, a pluralityof warp thread-actuating rods'grouped in pairs along said warp system, apiston operatively connected to each rod, a cylinder in Which eachpiston operates, means for supplying a gas under super-atmosphericpressure, means for supplying a vacuum, means for connecting thecylinders associated With each pair of rods simultaneously to saidpressure supply means and to said vacuum supply means respectively,means for altering said connecting means to interchangethe connectionsbetween the pairs of cylinders and the pressure and vacuum supply meansin a predetermined sequence progressively to open and close a warp shed,means for connecting the cylinders associated with each pair of rodssimultaneously to said pressure supply means and to said vacuum supplymeans respectively so that the pistons of each pair of pistons Work inopposite directions, means for periodically altering said connectingmeansto interchange periodically the connections between the pairs ofcylinders and the pressure and vacuum supply means in a predeterminedsequence so that a plurality of warp sheds are simultaneously opened andsimultaneously closed each in a progressive manner, a plurality ofweft-carrying and feeding shuttles each freely located within arespective one ofsaid sheds, each shuttle having a rear end portion inengagement With the warp threads of its respective shed as theyprogressively close during the progressive shedding and adapted toreceive a forwardly directed impulse from the closing warp threads ofits respective shed forwardly propelling each shuttle through itsrespective shed.

1l. In a loom for Weaving fabric, at least one vwarp system a pluralityof warp thread-actuating rods grouped in pairs along said warp system, apiston operatively connected to each rod, a cylinder in which eachpiston operates, means for supplying a gas under super-atmosphericpressure, means for supplying a vacuum, means for connecting thecylinders associated With each pair of rods simultaneously to saidpressure supply means and to said vacuum supply means respectively sothat the pistons of each'pair of pistons work in opposite directions,means for periodically altering said connecting means to interchangeperiodically the connections between the pairs of cylinders and thepressure and vacuum supply means in a predetennined sequence so that aplurality of warp sheds are simultaneously opened and simultaneously'closed each in a progressive manner, a plurality of Weftcarrying andfeeding shuttles each freely located within a respective one of saidsheds, each shuttle having a rear end portion in engagernent with thewarp threads of its respective shed as they progressively close during,the progre'fssive shedding and adapted to receive a forwardly 'di-'rected irnpulse from the closing warp threads of its respectiveshedforwardly propelling each shuttle through its respective shed.

1.2. In a loom for weaving fabric, at least one warp system, a pluralityof warp thread-actuating rods grouped in pairs along said warp system, apiston operatively connected to each rod, a cylinder in which eachpiston operates, means for supplying a gas under super-atmosphericpressure, means for supplying a gas under sub-.atmospheric pressure,means including a valve member for connecting the pair of cylindersassociated With each pair of rods simultaneously to said superandsub-atmospheric pressure'supply means respectively so that if theconnections are interchanged the pistons of each pair of pist'ons movein 'opposite directions to cause shedding of their associated warpthreads, each said valve member being mount- Ved f or reciprocal axialmovement, stationary guide means disposed in the path of axial movementof each said valve member and shaped to convert each reciprocation ofsaid valve member into a rotary movement of said valve 'member about itsaxis through a predeterm'ined angle to interchange the connectionsbetween its associated pair ofV cylinders and the superandsub-atmospheric pressure supply means, and means for periodicallyreciprocating infa predetermined sequence the valve members for thepairs `of cylinders progressively to open and close a shed in said warpsystem, Whereby a Weft-carrying and feeding shuttle may be driven withinsaid shed along said warp system.

13. In a loom for weaving fabric, at least one warp system, a pluralityof warp thread-actuating rods grouped in' pairs alQng said warp system,a piston operatively connected toieach rod, a cylinder in which Veachpiston operates, means including a valve member for connecting the Vpairof cylinders associated with each pair of rods simultaneously to saidpressure supply means and to said vacuum supply means respectively sothat if said connections are interchanged the pistons of each pair ofpistons movefinopposite directions to cause shedding oftheir associatedwarp threads, each said valve member being mounted Vfor reciprocal axialmovement, stationary guide means disposed. in .the =path ofaxial-v-movementf of-:each said valve member about its axis-through'apredetermined angle to iuterchange -the'connectionsfbetween itsassociated pair of cylinders and the prcssureandrvacuum supplymeans,means for periodically.reciprocating Vin f apredetermined sequence thevalve Vmembers for the Vpairs of cylinders so that. a plurality ofwarp-sheds. are simultaneouslyopened and simultaneously closed eacliinapi-ogressive manner, and a plurality of weft-carrying -and feedingshuttleseach freely located-within a-respective one of said sheds, eachshuttle having arear end 'portion in engagement with. the warpxthreadsofits respective shed as they progressivelyV close-during;the'progressive shedding and adapted to breceive aforwardlydirectedimpulse from the closing Vwarp threads of its.respective b shed forwardly propelling Veach shuttle through itsrespective shed.

14. In-a loom for -weaving fabric, Va ,warp.system',- shuttle supportmeans through which the warpithreadsof said system pass, at least oneweft-carrying and feedingshuttle disposed in contactswith said-.supportmeans and arranged to be driven therealong, said shuttle having aweft-feeding outlet located rearwardly of the rearend of the main bodyportion of the shuttle, and shedding means disposed adjacent saidsupport'means on the side remote from said shuttle and operative to openprogressively a shed for said shuttle 'and to close progressively saidshed by crossing those warp threadsV .Which are in the vicinity of saidrear end `portion and ahead of said weftfeeding outlet, whercby sheddingof the-.warp threads takesV place before'the laying-in of the Weftthread so that heating-up ofthe weft thread is unnecessary.

15. In a circular'loom forfweaving tubular'fabric, at least one warpsystem arranged in a circle lto present an endless weaving line,-apluralityof shedding units distributedV around said circle for groupwiseoperating` the warp threads of said system,control means for actuatingsaid shedding units in a predetermined sequence so that a series .ofwarp sheds of predetermined equal length'are simultaneously opened andclosed each in a-progressive manner along said circlefollowed by a long,'Warp shed of at least twice said `predetermined. length, a series ofWeft-carrying and feeding shuttles each disposed withinb arespective'one of said sheds of said predeterminedv length, saidshuttles each having its rear end portion inengagement'with those warpthreads ofits respective shedwhich are closing duringsaid progressive'shedding andV shaped to derive from said closing warp threads aresultant force forwardly propellingreachshuttle through .itsrespectiveshed, a shuttle replacement guide pivotally'mounted at a first pointoutside said warpsystem so that when saidlong shed approaches said pointthe-shutt1eoutletend of Vsaid guide may be` sWung-toward said warpsystem to push away the adjacent outer warp threads of said long sheduntil the longitudinal axis-.of said Vguide' lies substantially in .aplane tangential to the center line of the'path of travel of saidshuttles whereby a new shuttle may be-shot into the front portion ofsaid longV-sheduand.saidxguide swung back outside Vsaid system, ashuttle removal4 guide pivotally mounted at a second point outside saidwarp system so that after the outlet end of said shuttle replacementguide hasbeen swungback outside said warpsystem the inlet end of saidshuttle removalguide may beswung toward said. warp'system to push awaythe-adjacentwarp threads of said long shed until thezaxis of said:shuttle removal guide lies. in a plane substantially tangential to thecenter line of the path of shuttle-travel, whereby the leading shuttleof said plurality ofshuttles may escape into said shuttle removal guideandsaid removal guide swungV back outside said warpxsystem. before thearrival of the next shuttle, and.` means opcrable to render operativethe shedding units adjacenttto' saidlnew shuttle and to renderinoperativethe shedding units formerly adjacent tosaid removed shuttle;

16. Aloom according: to claim'. v15 Iwherein `ea'ch'shuttl'e has itsweft-fecding outlet located rearwardly of the rear extremity of said endportion.

17. In a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system including warp threads,shedding means positioned along said warp system for progressivelyopening and closing a shed in the warp threads, a shuttle supportextending along jthe path of said "shed so as to lie at least partlywithin the shed When open, a Weft-carrying and feeding shuttle locatedin said shed in contact with said support for free movement therealongrestrained laterally solely by said warp threads, the rear end of themain body member of said shuttle being provided With a sloping surfaceon at least one side thereof which extends in a generally rear- Warddirection toward the longitudinal axis of said shuttle, some of the warpthreads of the shed as they progressively close during 'sheddingengaging said sloping surface of the shuttle and exerting a resultantforce thereon Whereby said shuttle is forwardly propelled along saidsupport and through said shed under the sole influence of said warpthreads.

18. In a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system including warp threads,a plurality of shedding units distributed along said Vwarp system,control means operative to actuate progressively said shedding units forprogressively opening and closing a shedin the warp threads, a shuttlesupport extending along the path of said shed so as to lie at leastpartly within the shed When open, a weftcarrying and feeding shuttlelocated in said shed in contact with said support for free movementtherealong restrained laterally solely by said warp threads, the rearend of the main body member of said shuttle being provided Withrearwardly sloping side surfaces extending toward the longitudinal axisof said shuttle, the 'warp threads of the shed as they progressivelyclose during shedding engaging said sloping surfaces of the shuttle andexerting a resultant force thereon Whereby said Vshuttle is forwardlypropelled along said support and through said shed under the soleinfluence of said warp threads.

19. In a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system including warp threads,a plurality of shedding units distributed along said warp system,control means operative to actuate progressively said shedding units forprogressively opening and closing a shed in the warp threads, a shuttlesupport extending along the path of said shed so as to lie at leastpartly within the shed When open, a weft-carrying and feeding shuttlelocated in said shed in contact with said support for free movementtherealong restrained laterally solely by said warp threads, the rearend of the main body member of said shuttle being provided with a pairof freely rotatable rollers having their axes of rotation locatedrespectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the shuttle,the warp threads of the shed as they progressively close during sheddingengaging said rollers of the shuttle and causing them to rotate inopposite directions respectively while exerting a resultant forcethereon Whereby said shuttle is forwardiy propelled along said supportand through said shed under the sole influence of said warp threads.

20. In a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system including warp threadsextending substantially around a circular path, shedding means disposedsubstantially around said circular path for progressively opening andclosing a'shed in the warp threads, a shuttle support extendingsubstantially around said Circular path so as .to lie at least partlyWithin thershed When open, a vveftcarrying and feeding shuttle locatedin said shed in contact with said support for free movement therealongaround said circular path restrained laterally solely by said warpthreads, the rear end of the main body member of `said shuttle beingprovided With a sloping-surface on Vat least one side thereof Whichextends in a generally rearward direction toward the longitudinal axisof said shuttle, some of the warp threads of the shed as theyprogressively close during shedding engaging said sloping surface of theshuttle, and exerting a resultant force-there-l 15 on Whereby saidshuttle is forwardly propelled along said support and through said shedunder the sole influence of said warp threads.

21. in a loom for weaving fabric, a warp system including warp threadsextending substantially around a circuiar path, a plurality of shaddingunits distributed substantially around said circular path, control meansoperative to actuate progressively said shedding units for progressivelyopening and closing a shed in the warp threads, a shuttle supportextending substantiaily around said circuiar path so as to lie at leastpartly Within the shed when open, a Weft-carrying and feeding shuttlelocated in said shed in contact With said support for free movementtherealong around said Circular path restrained laterally solely by saidwarp threads, the rear end of the main body member of said shuttle beingprovided With rearwardly sioping side surfaces extending toward thelongitudinai axis of said shuttle, the'warp threads of the shed as theyprogressively close during shedding engaging said sloping surfaces ofthe shuttle and exerting a resultant force thereon whereby said shuttleis forwardly propelled along said support and through said shed underthe sole influence of said warp threads.

22. For use in a loom for Weaving fabric, a Weft-carrying and feedingshuttle comprising a substantially flatbottomed elongated base, a pairof smooth runners secured to the flat bottom of said base substantiallyparallcl to the longitudinal axis thereof, means secured to the uppersurface of said base for mounting an elongated weft pirn thereon Withits longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said base, said baseextending rearwardly beyond the extremity of said pirn for a shortdistance and having its side surfaces sloping rearwardly and inwardlytoward the longitudinal axis thereof, a Weft-laying arm, and meansmounting said arm at one end near the front of said shuttle for freepivotal movement in a plane passing substantially through thelongitudinal axis of said base and at right angles to the bottomthereof, the free end. of said arm extending rearwardly beyond the rearextremity of said base and being provided With a downwardly taper-f ingprofile, Whereby the shuttle may be propelled along a shuttle supportWithin a warp shed With the Weft-laying arm urged into the line ofweaving by lthe warp threads When said warp threads engage the inwardlysloping side surfaces of the base and the downwardly taperiug free endof the Weft-laying arm of said shuttle during progressive shedding.

23. For use in a loom for WeavingV fabric, a Weft-carrying and feedingshuttle comprising anelongated base, said base being provided With asmooth running surface on the bottom thereof, means secured to the uppersurface of said base for mounting a Weft pirn thereon, said baseextanding rearwardly beyond the extremity of said pirn for a shortdistance and having its side surfaces sloping rear- Wardly and inwardlytoward the longitudinal axis thereof, a weft-laying arm, and meansmounting said arm at one end near the front of said shuttle for freepivotal movement in a plane passing substantially through thelongitudinal axis of said base and at right angles to the bottomthereof, the free end of saidarm extending rearwardly beyond the rearextremity of said base and being provided With a downwardly taperingprofile, Whereby theshuttle may be propelled along a shuttle supportWithin a warp shed With the Weft-laying arm urged into the line ofWeaving by the warp threads When said warp threads engage the inwardlysloping side surfaces of the base and the downwardly tapering free endof the Weft-laying arm' of said shuttle during progressive shedding. j I

24. For use in a loom for Weaving fabric, a weft-carrying and feedingshuttle comprising an elongated base, said base being provided With asmoothrunrling surface on the bottom thereof, means secured to the uppersurface of said base for mounting a Weft pirn thereon, a pair offfreelyrotatable rollers mounted on the upper surface of said base at the rearthereof With their axes of rotation located respectively on oppositesides of the longitudinal axis of said base and with their peripheriesextending rearwardly and laterally beyond the bouniaries of said pirnand base, a weft-laying arm, and means mounting said arm at one end nearthe front of said shuttle for pivotal movement in a plane passingsubstantially through the longitudinal axis of said base and Parallel tothe axes of rotation of said rollers, the free end of said arm extendingrearwardly beyond the rear extrerm'ties of said rollers and beingprovided With a downwardly tapering profile, Whereby the shuttle may bepropelled along a shuttle support Within a Warp shed With theWeft-laying arm urged into the line of Weaving by the Warp threads whensaid warp threads en-l gage the rollers and the downwardly tapering freeend of the Weft-laying arm of said shuttle during progressive shedding.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,723,426 Jones Aug. 6, 1929 2,425,676 Hindle Aug. 12, 1947 2,558,234Whitaker June 26, 1951 2,601,358 Ancet June 24, 1952

